[05/26/10 - 02:34 PM]TBS and Toyota Come Together This June for the New Original Series Are We There Yet?The custom season-long sponsorship will "highlight the features of the Toyota Highlander as the family's vehicle of choice."

[via press release from TBS]

TBS and Toyota Come Together this June for the New Original Series ARE WE THERE YET?

Turner Entertainment, through a deal with the multicultural media sales firm ACE Media Corp. and Toyota's multicultural buying agency Burrell Communications Group, is aligning with Toyota this summer for the TBS original series, ARE WE THERE YET?, a new series based on the Revolution Studios movie of the same name. The custom season-long sponsorship, which includes storyline integration in select episodes, will highlight the features of the Toyota Highlander as the family's vehicle of choice. The series premieres on Wednesday, June 2, with back-to-back episodes at 9 and 9:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

"We are fortunate to have a variety of programming opportunities, including ARE WE THERE YET?, which provide companies like Toyota the opportunity to attract a diverse audience on a network offering reach and relevance," said Linda Yaccarino, executive vice president and chief operating offer, Turner Entertainment Ad Sales/Marketing and Acquisitions. "Together with ACE, we are bringing these opportunities front and center to advertisers seeking out these very limited, high-demand platforms."

"We are always looking to create unique opportunities to present our client's products to African American consumers," said D. Gray-Young, VP Media Director - Toyota. "Aligning our client Toyota with the new family comedy ARE WE THERE YET? was a natural fit. We wanted to be a part of the excitement and enthusiasm viewers are sure to bring to this new program."

ARE WE THERE YET? opens where the popular film left off, with Nick (Terry Crews) and Suzanne (Essence Atkins) newly married. After six months, their family is beginning to show growing pains, from the complexities of life as newlyweds to weathering the storm of teenage children. Work makes life all the more complicated. Former athlete Nick has sold his sports paraphernalia store and now works in information technology. Party planner Suzanne also has a hectic professional schedule.

Featured in one specific episode, Nick will find himself at a dealership searching for a new SUV. When he sees and hears about the features of the Toyota Highlander, he falls in love with the vehicle. From the seven airbags to the large side view mirrors, he wants one of his own, but first has to check with his wife. The show takes a funny turn when the salesman talks him into applying for a loan for the vehicle however Nick is confused when his credit check results in a loan decline. The episode focuses on the importance of this newly married couple, Nick and Suzanne, communicating about their past as they start their new life together. Everything works out for the best in the end, and Nick gets the SUV.

Throughout the season, The Toyota Highlander will show up in additional episodes as the family's vehicle of choice. The brand will also be integrated through a larger sponsorship focused on reaching a multicultural audience tuning in for this anticipated new series. Additional marketing elements include sponsored tune-ins and in-show messaging for Toyota.

Teala Dunn and Coy Stewart co-star in ARE WE THERE YET? as Lindsey and Kevin, Nick and Suzanne's 14 and 10-year-old children. They spend their time texting friends and playing on the computer instead of connecting with family. Telma Hopkins (Family Matters) plays Nick's mother, who isn't happy about his marriage or her new role as a grandmother. Keesha Sharp (Girlfriends, Why Did I Get Married) is Suzanne's best friend; she has a taste for men and the finer things in life. Comedian Christian Finnegan plays Nick's best friend and the new owner of his sports memorabilia store. Ice Cube plays a recurring guest-star role as Suzanne's SWAT officer brother.

ARE WE THERE YET? comes to TBS from Debmar-Mercury, Cube Vision and Revolution Studios. Revolution's Joe Roth and Vince Totino and Cube Vision's Ice Cube and Matt Alvarez serve as executive producers, along with award-winning show-runner Ali LeRoi, who won an Emmy� for his work on The Chris Rock Show and an NAACP Image Award for Everybody Hates Chris.

Using the unique model created by Debmar-Mercury for Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Meet the Browns, TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the new sitcom, with the option for an additional 90 episodes.

About ACE Media Corp.

ACE Media Corp, Andrea's Communication's Empire, a certified, female minority owned Women's business Enterprise, is a leading multicultural ad sales rep firm. Primary emphasis is on ethnically diverse product, specializing in branded entertainment, marketing/sales and promotions beyond the traditional spot, commercial unit sale for television, cable, digital, print and social media networks. ACE, headquartered in New York City, was founded in 2004, by veteran media sales executive Andrea Holmes Thompkins. In addition to a unique alliance with Turner Entertainment Networks for properties including Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Meet the Browns on TBS, and HawthoRNe on TNT, other properties represented by ACE, include Peachtree TV, VMIX-TV, Connection III Entertainment, TUV Media, Brownstone Digital and others.

About TBS

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television's top-rated comedy network. It serves as home to such original comedy series as My Boys, Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Meet the Browns, as well as the upcoming Neighbors from Hell and Are We There Yet?; the late-night hit Lopez Tonight, starring George Lopez; hot contemporary comedies like Family Guy and The Office; specials like Funniest Commercials of the Year; special events, including star-studded comedy festivals in Chicago and Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.